Local resident David Voth, a pioneer in the crime victims’ rights movement in Ohio and the nation, will be recognized on Thursday, July 18, in Columbus during the 10th anniversary celebration of Models of Justice Awards Ceremony, sponsored by the Justice League of Ohio.

The event honoring persons who have protected and advanced crime victims' rights and celebrates the Justice League of Ohio’s decade of service.

Voth is executive director and victim offender mediator of Crime Victim Services, Allen/Putnam Counties. Voth created the nation’s first crime victim spiritual ministry staff position in a victim service program in 1992.

In 1993 he initiated the nation’s first legislation and campaigned for a local tax levy for victim services. He was appointed by the Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice to the Ohio Criminal Sentencing Commission Advisory Committee, while revising felony laws and creating Ohio’s Victim Rights Law 1993-1998 and appointed by the Ohio Governor to the Ohio Council For Interstate Adult Offender Supervision, 2002-2007.

In 2010 David was the Ohio Attorney General’s Peace Officer Training Commission Subject Matter Expert on Victim Rights.

Voth is a Founding Board Member for the National Victims Constitutional Amendment Network, Co-chair of the Ohio Crime Victims Constitutional Amendment Network, national and state trainer on Restorative Justice, Victim Rights, Mediation and Outcome Measures, and a Founding Board Member of The Justice League of Ohio.

This year's Models of Justice Honorees are:
• Senator Kevin Bacon - Ohio Senate
• Anne Marie Dennison and Kristen Dennison – Survivors
• Representative Teresa Fedor - Ohio House of Representatives
• Anna Herb – Survivor
• June Lucas - Ohio House of Representatives (retired)
• Evelyn Lundberg Stratton - Retired Justice from the Ohio Supreme Court
• Captain Dan Patten - Lancaster Police Department
• Lorine Reid -Montgomery Co. Prosecutor (retired)
• Jody Scheiman - Stifel Financial Corporation Financial Advisor/Women’s Fund of Central Ohio Founder
• David Voth - ED Crime Victim Services Allen/Putnam Counties
• Cherie Gallagher and Tara Ward – Survivors

A special guest at the event is former World Heavyweight Boxing Champion
James “Buster” Douglas.

Justice League of Ohio

The Justice League of Ohio is a non-profit legal clinic serving victims in all 88 Ohio counties. It provides the following services:

• Free legal assistance to crime victims, including direct representation in the criminal justice system to uphold crime victims' rights;

• Informational and technical assistance to attorneys, service providers, and legislators on crime victims' rights laws;

• Direct representation of victims and assistance to attorneys in issues involving Crime Victims Compensation.